Welcome to my guide on how to write a script that YouTube will want to read! Writing for YouTube is different than writing for other mediums. The most important thing you can do is learn how to think like a filmmaker and not like a YouTuber.
This means planning out your story before you start filming or recording dialogue – even if the entire film is just one long take that never cuts away from your subject matter (which I do recommend).
If you’re going to tell your audience something, give them reasons why they should listen and pay attention.
Don’t let them get bored by simply reading off text or talking about things that don’t apply directly to them – instead, have fun with it! Make an active script with lots of questions and answers.
So people feel involved in what’s going on around them: treat it like a conversation instead of lecturing at them from behind their computer screens.”
Takeaways |
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1. Master the art of scriptwriting to engage YouTube viewers. |
2. Craft scripts that resonate with your target audience. |
3. Utilize storytelling techniques to capture attention. |
4. Use humor, where appropriate, to keep viewers entertained. |
5. Optimize scripts for shareability and viral potential. |
Think Like A Filmmaker, Not A Youtuber
This is the single most important piece of advice that we can give you: think like a filmmaker, not a YouTuber. You’re not on YouTube to be yourself, or even to entertain.
You’re there to tell stories and make money and it’s your job as a writer to figure out how the story you want to tell and the business model of YouTube intersect.
The biggest mistake people make when trying to write for YouTube is thinking that because it’s online, it has nothing in common with film. But if you’ve ever watched an episode of Family Feud or The Price Is Right and thought “I could do better,” then guess what?
You’ve got more training than any other person who writes for YouTube! As long as your script does its job to entertain.
Then it doesn’t matter if filmmakers agree with your choices about character development (or whether or not they would literally rather eat their own eyeballs than watch another episode).
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Prepare To Introduce Your Subject Matter
Now that you’ve set the scene, it’s time to introduce your subject matter.
In a script, this is done by saying something like, “I want to talk about…” or “The next topic I want to cover is…”
This should be written in a big font (at least 24-point) so that it’s easy for YouTube to read and understand what you’re trying to say. Remember: when writing scripts for YouTube videos, keep them light and fun!
Set The Mood
When you’re writing a script, it can be easy to get caught up in the details the plot points, the characters, and their motivations. But if you don’t set the tone right from the beginning of your script (and throughout), then YouTube might not want to read it.
Here are some ways to make sure that YouTube will want to keep reading your scripts:
- Use music to set the mood of your video. Is this a serious topic? A funny one? Use music that matches what you’re trying to say.
- Use lighting wisely when taking shots for your video it can help create tension or add more humor than what would normally seem like possible given the context of what’s happening onscreen at that moment in time.”
Don’t Tell The Audience What They’re Seeing, Show Them
Your script isn’t a novel. You don’t need to describe every detail of your video, you need to show it.
If you’re talking about something that involves visuals and sound (like a cooking video or a song), this is good advice. But even if it’s not visual or auditory, keep the same rule in mind: Don’t just tell the audience what they are seeing or hearing, show them!
For example: “I am very sad today,” isn’t as effective as “I’m crying.” If you want your audience to know how sad someone is feeling, don’t just say it; show them by giving them an example of someone crying or looking depressed.
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Build In Action Scenes To Give Your Audience A Break (From Dialogue)
Action scenes are a great way to break up the monotony of dialogue, and they can be used to show the audience something they are not familiar with.
For example, if you want to write a script about how your grandma makes her famous chocolate chip cookies, you could use an action scene where she is baking them in order to show the audience what is happening step by step.
Or maybe your character has just seen something amazing at work that he wants his friend or girlfriend/boyfriend/spouse or whoever else will find just as interesting.
You could use an action scene where he explains it in detail so we get all the details right there on screen instead of having him say “I saw this thing today that was so cool!”
Create An Active Script With Lots Of Questions And Answers
When writing a script for a video, it can be easy to fall into the trap of writing a list of facts or items. However, this is not what YouTube wants from you. Instead, they want you to create an active script with lots of questions and answers.
This will help keep your audience engaged in what you’re saying and interested in how you’ll answer their questions!
It also makes sure that they are stick around until the end of your video (or at least until the next pause). This will increase their watch time and make it more likely that they subscribe to your channel.
Keep Your Audience Involved By Asking Them Thought-Provoking Questions
One of the best ways you can keep your audience involved is by asking them thought-provoking questions. This can be anything from “what should I do next?” to “how would you feel about this situation?”
To make your script more interesting, ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer. When it comes down to it, these types of questions are what separate an okay video from a great one.
Questions like these will help viewers think about what they want out of life and take action towards their goals by encouraging them to share their opinions on the topic at hand.
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Focus On Lean Dialogue
Being a YouTube video script writer is hard, but it’s also very rewarding. You can get paid to do what you love, and that’s something no one can take away from you. But there are certain rules you must follow if you want to impress viewers and make money off your work.
If your goal is to write an engaging script that YouTube will want, then these tips may help:
Keep it short! Don’t use more than three lines of dialogue per scene and no more than five lines per page.
This means that all the information should be conveyed quickly, without going into too much detail about each character’s backstory or background information about the setting (remember: Google Maps exists). The same goes for exposition; don’t include any unless absolutely necessary–and even then try not to go overboard! If possible, avoid using anything other than dialogue when writing up scripts.
Don’t use more than one line of dialogue per camera shot or cutaway shot either! It’s much easier on both parties when they know exactly where they’re going with each other at all times.
And there won’t be any confusion if everything is clear right away instead of having long pauses between sentences while trying remember what happened before them…
So make sure everything gets said within those few seconds before moving onto another sequence altogether.”
Treat Your Video As A Conversation, Not A Lecture
Maybe this is obvious, but it’s worth saying again: make sure that you use first person plural when speaking directly to the camera. Instead of saying “I believe xxxx is true,” say “We believe xxxx is true.”
This makes your voice sound more natural and welcoming; it helps draw people in and makes them more likely to get involved with what you’re saying.
You can even try using contractions to shorten up your sentences by using words like I’m and I’ve instead of I am and I have (for example). It might seem silly or unnatural at first.
But once you get used to talking this way it will feel much more comfortable than trying too hard not to make any mistakes!
Use active verbs instead of passive ones: active sentences are stronger because they show how someone does something rather than just telling what happened; for example “John ate an apple” versus “An apple was eaten by John”.
The second example doesn’t tell us anything about who did the eating; only what happened afterwards (which could be good or bad depending on context).
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Be Aware Of How You’re Speaking And Filming For Your Intended Demographic
Your script should be a blueprint for the video, but it’s not the final product. Keep in mind how you are speaking and filming as you go through your script. If there is anything that might confuse or irritate your audience, take care of it now.
It’s important to know that not every word needs to be written down in the final draft; this is especially true if you’re using bullet points or other visual cues (like a PowerPoint presentation). However, we recommend avoiding filler words like “um” and “uh.” If something doesn’t make sense when reading aloud, rewrite it until it does make sense!
Also remember: don’t read directly from your script unless necessary you want people to see how natural and real-life you are!
Avoid slang and idioms whenever possible because these expressions can sometimes confuse viewers who aren’t familiar with them (or worse yet they won’t understand why people think they’re funny).
Just keep things simple so everyone has an easy time understanding what’s happening on screen!
Speak Clearly And Deliberately – Avoid Filler Words Like “Um”
Speak clearly and deliberately. There are many filler words that you might use in your daily speech, such as “um” or “like”, which have no place in a script.
Filler words can also take away from the clarity of your dialogue and may distract the reader from understanding what you’re trying to say.
Use pauses to let the audience process what you’re saying. Pauses are an important tool when crafting scripts because they help convey a sense of emotion and give the audience time to digest what was just said by giving them some space between lines.
If everything is spoken at light speed, it loses its power; if everything is paused for dramatic effect, it becomes stale and loses its meaning entirely! Be careful not to overuse pauses either (see next tip).
Use pauses for dramatic effect only sparingly – don’t make every line into an emotional moment! Although it’s true that silence can be used effectively for emotional moments (and sometimes even humor).
Don’t lean too heavily on this technique as it could easily become gratuitous after awhile if not used properly – especially since viewers aren’t able yet know which parts will be important later on down the road when deciding whether or not they want more than just one episode at once.”
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Conclusion
The most important thing to remember is that the best way to tell a story is through the lens of your own experience. If you can find a way to connect with your audience on a personal level, they’re more likely to relate and care about what you have to say. And that means more views!
Further Reading
How to Write a YouTube Video Script: Learn essential tips and techniques for crafting effective YouTube video scripts that engage your audience and boost your channel’s growth.
How to Write a Great YouTube Script (Free Template): Discover a comprehensive guide and a free template to create captivating YouTube scripts that resonate with viewers and drive higher engagement.
How to Write a YouTube Video Script: A Step-by-Step Guide: This step-by-step guide walks you through the process of writing a compelling YouTube video script, ensuring your content stands out and captures attention.
FAQs
What are the key elements of an effective YouTube video script?
An effective YouTube video script should have a clear introduction, engaging storytelling, a structured flow, a call-to-action, and concise messaging that aligns with your video’s purpose.
How can I engage my audience through my YouTube scripts?
To engage your audience, focus on creating relatable content, asking questions, using humor when appropriate, and incorporating visually engaging elements like graphics and b-roll footage.
Should I write a script or improvise my YouTube videos?
While some creators prefer improvisation, having a well-written script can significantly enhance the quality of your videos, reducing awkward pauses and ensuring you cover all key points concisely.
How do I maintain authenticity while following a script?
To maintain authenticity, practice reading your script aloud, inject your personality into the delivery, and make adjustments to the script to match your natural speaking style.
How can I ensure my YouTube script aligns with my target audience’s interests?
Conduct thorough research on your target audience’s preferences, pain points, and interests. Tailor your script to address their needs and provide value that resonates with them.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.